Ernest Gene Gourley, 83, a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 3, 2011. He resided at 7390 South Layne Drive (230 East) in Midvale, Utah at the time of his death.
He was born June 26, 1927 at the family home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He was the tenth child of David and Dora Louise West Gourley.
He married Juanita Jeppson in the Salt Lake Temple on March 4, 1953. They later adopted their son, Jeff Ernest, at the age of fifteen from a Texas Children's Home. Jeff served an LDS Mission to Mexico and also served his country in the Green Beret Special Forces for nine years.
Ernest attended schools in Pleasant Grove and Salt Lake City, graduating from West High School in 1945. Later he attended classes at BYU, the U of U, USU, U of NM, micro graphics courses in Washington, DC, also over nine years with various data processing classes from IBM and multiple correspondence courses though out his life.
He served his country in the Army Air Force during World War II, on the airfield in (British Guiana) British Guyana, South America in the 155th Army Airways Communications System Squadron until 1946.
He began his thirty-year career with Granite School District first in accounting, then as their Director of Accounting Services. He served on the Board of Directors of the Granite District Credit Union for twenty years. Two of those years, he was elected President. He also served as an officer for two years and seven months with the Union Pacific Railroad Employees Hospital Association. During his life, Ernest received many recognitions, honors, and awards both locally and nationally.
His talents and love for music began early in his life. Singing solos and harmonizing with his family and friends plus his love of piano and organ delighted and enriched all those around him. Ernest and his wife, Juanita loved to travel. During those travels together, they always invited family members and young people to join them. The door of their home was open to all for an ice cream treat, a good chat, game of pool, or a movie.
Ernie and Nita one time had a large box of correspondence from missionaries from many parts of the world expressing their thanks and gratitude to both of them for their time, patience and money when they were growing up. He served as a Ward Financial Clerk, Stake Auditor, Dance Director, Music Director, Sunday School Teacher, Priest, and Teacher Quorum Advisor in the LDS Church.
Most of all, Ernest was a devoted husband and father. He loved his wife tenderly and took care of her during a terminal illness that lasted three years.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, five brothers and four sisters. Survived by his sister, Faun Louise Burnett.
Private family services were held.
Published in the Deseret News on March 6, 2011.
He was born June 26, 1927 at the family home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He was the tenth child of David and Dora Louise West Gourley.
He married Juanita Jeppson in the Salt Lake Temple on March 4, 1953. They later adopted their son, Jeff Ernest, at the age of fifteen from a Texas Children's Home. Jeff served an LDS Mission to Mexico and also served his country in the Green Beret Special Forces for nine years.
Ernest attended schools in Pleasant Grove and Salt Lake City, graduating from West High School in 1945. Later he attended classes at BYU, the U of U, USU, U of NM, micro graphics courses in Washington, DC, also over nine years with various data processing classes from IBM and multiple correspondence courses though out his life.
He served his country in the Army Air Force during World War II, on the airfield in (British Guiana) British Guyana, South America in the 155th Army Airways Communications System Squadron until 1946.
He began his thirty-year career with Granite School District first in accounting, then as their Director of Accounting Services. He served on the Board of Directors of the Granite District Credit Union for twenty years. Two of those years, he was elected President. He also served as an officer for two years and seven months with the Union Pacific Railroad Employees Hospital Association. During his life, Ernest received many recognitions, honors, and awards both locally and nationally.
His talents and love for music began early in his life. Singing solos and harmonizing with his family and friends plus his love of piano and organ delighted and enriched all those around him. Ernest and his wife, Juanita loved to travel. During those travels together, they always invited family members and young people to join them. The door of their home was open to all for an ice cream treat, a good chat, game of pool, or a movie.
Ernie and Nita one time had a large box of correspondence from missionaries from many parts of the world expressing their thanks and gratitude to both of them for their time, patience and money when they were growing up. He served as a Ward Financial Clerk, Stake Auditor, Dance Director, Music Director, Sunday School Teacher, Priest, and Teacher Quorum Advisor in the LDS Church.
Most of all, Ernest was a devoted husband and father. He loved his wife tenderly and took care of her during a terminal illness that lasted three years.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, five brothers and four sisters. Survived by his sister, Faun Louise Burnett.
Private family services were held.
Published in the Deseret News on March 6, 2011.
Ernest Gene Gourley, 83, a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 3, 2011. He resided at 7390 South Layne Drive (230 East) in Midvale, Utah at the time of his death.
He was born June 26, 1927 at the family home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He was the tenth child of David and Dora Louise West Gourley.
He married Juanita Jeppson in the Salt Lake Temple on March 4, 1953. They later adopted their son, Jeff Ernest, at the age of fifteen from a Texas Children's Home. Jeff served an LDS Mission to Mexico and also served his country in the Green Beret Special Forces for nine years.
Ernest attended schools in Pleasant Grove and Salt Lake City, graduating from West High School in 1945. Later he attended classes at BYU, the U of U, USU, U of NM, micro graphics courses in Washington, DC, also over nine years with various data processing classes from IBM and multiple correspondence courses though out his life.
He served his country in the Army Air Force during World War II, on the airfield in (British Guiana) British Guyana, South America in the 155th Army Airways Communications System Squadron until 1946.
He began his thirty-year career with Granite School District first in accounting, then as their Director of Accounting Services. He served on the Board of Directors of the Granite District Credit Union for twenty years. Two of those years, he was elected President. He also served as an officer for two years and seven months with the Union Pacific Railroad Employees Hospital Association. During his life, Ernest received many recognitions, honors, and awards both locally and nationally.
His talents and love for music began early in his life. Singing solos and harmonizing with his family and friends plus his love of piano and organ delighted and enriched all those around him. Ernest and his wife, Juanita loved to travel. During those travels together, they always invited family members and young people to join them. The door of their home was open to all for an ice cream treat, a good chat, game of pool, or a movie.
Ernie and Nita one time had a large box of correspondence from missionaries from many parts of the world expressing their thanks and gratitude to both of them for their time, patience and money when they were growing up. He served as a Ward Financial Clerk, Stake Auditor, Dance Director, Music Director, Sunday School Teacher, Priest, and Teacher Quorum Advisor in the LDS Church.
Most of all, Ernest was a devoted husband and father. He loved his wife tenderly and took care of her during a terminal illness that lasted three years.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, five brothers and four sisters. Survived by his sister, Faun Louise Burnett.
Private family services were held.
Published in the Deseret News on March 6, 2011.
He was born June 26, 1927 at the family home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He was the tenth child of David and Dora Louise West Gourley.
He married Juanita Jeppson in the Salt Lake Temple on March 4, 1953. They later adopted their son, Jeff Ernest, at the age of fifteen from a Texas Children's Home. Jeff served an LDS Mission to Mexico and also served his country in the Green Beret Special Forces for nine years.
Ernest attended schools in Pleasant Grove and Salt Lake City, graduating from West High School in 1945. Later he attended classes at BYU, the U of U, USU, U of NM, micro graphics courses in Washington, DC, also over nine years with various data processing classes from IBM and multiple correspondence courses though out his life.
He served his country in the Army Air Force during World War II, on the airfield in (British Guiana) British Guyana, South America in the 155th Army Airways Communications System Squadron until 1946.
He began his thirty-year career with Granite School District first in accounting, then as their Director of Accounting Services. He served on the Board of Directors of the Granite District Credit Union for twenty years. Two of those years, he was elected President. He also served as an officer for two years and seven months with the Union Pacific Railroad Employees Hospital Association. During his life, Ernest received many recognitions, honors, and awards both locally and nationally.
His talents and love for music began early in his life. Singing solos and harmonizing with his family and friends plus his love of piano and organ delighted and enriched all those around him. Ernest and his wife, Juanita loved to travel. During those travels together, they always invited family members and young people to join them. The door of their home was open to all for an ice cream treat, a good chat, game of pool, or a movie.
Ernie and Nita one time had a large box of correspondence from missionaries from many parts of the world expressing their thanks and gratitude to both of them for their time, patience and money when they were growing up. He served as a Ward Financial Clerk, Stake Auditor, Dance Director, Music Director, Sunday School Teacher, Priest, and Teacher Quorum Advisor in the LDS Church.
Most of all, Ernest was a devoted husband and father. He loved his wife tenderly and took care of her during a terminal illness that lasted three years.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, five brothers and four sisters. Survived by his sister, Faun Louise Burnett.
Private family services were held.
Published in the Deseret News on March 6, 2011.
Family Members
Siblings
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Maurine Gourley Hatch
1910–1989
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George Amasa Gourley
1912–2005
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Lee Maughan Gourley
1914–1981
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Rex Stanley Gourley
1917–1993
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Dr June Gourley Searle
1919–2008
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Vida Ramona Gourley Witney
1921–2001
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Fawn Louise "Mitzie" Gourley Burnett
1923–2013
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David Richard "Dick" Gourley
1925–1996
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John Paul Gourley
1930–2001
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